ANCI asks Italian government to be 'more courageou - footwearbiz: Lead

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ANCI asks Italian government to be 'more courageous'

04/07/2012
The president of Italy’s national footwear manufacturers’ association ANCI, Cleto Sagripanti, has said the country’s government needs to do more to leverage its high-value footwear industry. More than 205 million pairs of shoes manufactured in Italy in 2011 had an estimated value of more than EUR 7 billion.

In his comments, Mr Sagripanti said he waned to make the government and the Italian public more aware of what the high-end footwear sector gives to Italy. He criticised the government’s proposal for a replacement of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE), whose functions transferred to the ministry for foreign affairs in June 2011. Lack of clarity around the new proposals, in particular how much funding the government is prepared to make available for them, was holding back the efforts of companies to grow internationally, Mr Sagripanti said.

He added: “Courage is required in taking decisions, rewarding those events and those sectors that are a driving force for the country. Instead, enlargement of the control room seems to be tailored not to upset anyone.”

ANCI has for some time argued the need for a new “growth alliance” based on synergy among various actors (public, private, associations and banks) and to redefine international promotions policy. In addition, Mr Sagripanti has called for the government to relaunch tax credits for research and development activities.

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